Campaign Rules: A 50-State Guide to Campaigns and Elections in America - Hardcover

Nina Kasniunas; Daniel Shea

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1442201754 ISBN 13: 9781442201750

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2010

Synopsis

America may be the most election-crazed nation in the world, boasting roughly 500,000 elected positions nationwide. Not only do we rely heavily on elections to fill government positions, but the frequency of these events far outpaces what is found in other nations. Americans use elections not only to select candidates, but to directly change government policy as well. Referendums and ballot initiatives allow average citizens to vote on policy matters, essentially sidestepping the legislative process.
Campaign Rules provides political activists, researchers, and all citizens an easy-to-use reference tool to help sort out the dizzying breadth of state-based electoral rules. Numerous volumes offer information on federal elections, but Campaign Rules is the first to provide detailed information for each state, including:
· key electoral turnout figures
· statewide election outcomes
· voting regulations
· candidate regulations
· campaign finance rules
· judicial election information
· primary election rules and dates
· lobbying guidelines
· ballot initiative information

About this title

About the Author:

Nina Kasniunas is an assistant professor of political science at Allegheny College.Daniel M. Shea is professor of Political Science and director of the Center for Political Participation at Allegheny College.

Review:

The beauty of this book is that it provides a one-stop shop for information that is typically located in a variety of places. (Campaign & Elections)

The book includes a plethora of information divided by state. All of the bases are covered from basic demographics—population, voter registration and turnout—to the campaign essential—filing deadlines, capaign finance restrictions and candidate requirements. Each state's chapter also includes information on judicial elections, which are often overlooked in the usual discussion of campaigns. . . . The beauty of this book is it provides a one-stop shop for information that is typically located in a variety of places. (Politics)

This handy little reference book by Kasniunas and Shea (both, Allegheny College) provides a current snapshot of the complex and often confusing jumble of campaign and election regulations in all 50 states. Each section spotlights a different state and includes a small map; voter turnout statistics for the last five statewide elections; outcomes for the most recent presidential and gubernatorial general elections; an overview of current voting, candidate, campaign finance, and lobbying regulations; and basic information on judicial elections, ballot initiatives, and referenda, when applicable. Even without an index or extensive images, this well-written and concise single volume provides researchers and citizens with an excellent ready-reference resource. Summing Up: Recommended. (Choice)

About this edition

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1442201754
• ISBN 13: 9781442201750
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 232